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‘Self-Service’ Libraries a Bad Move – Ó Clochartaigh

Government plans to develop ‘Self-Service’ libraries are a
retrograde move according to Sinn Féin Senator, Trevor Ó Clochartaigh.

Writing in this month’s edition of An Phoblacht, the Galway
West – South Mayo Senator says:

“I have been contacted by library staff from Galway under
the banner of the ‘Staff Our Libraries’ campaign, to express their concerns
about a pilot scheme being operated by the Local Government Management Agency
in Offaly and Sligo to develop ‘Self-Service’ libraries.

“They work by allowing registered users access to the
libraries outside the normal hours, from eight in the morning until ten at
night, seven days a week.

“It’s claimed that no current library staff hours will be
lost as a result of the changes, but ‘Staff Our Libraries’ says this is not
true.

“The ‘Staff Our Libraries’ campaign are also concerned that
the new approach could be very problematic and that a report on the pilot
scheme has left out vital, negative feedback.

“They are worried that the changes could lead to anti-social
behaviour if there is no proper supervision and they have also highlighted
potential health and safety issues for regular users as well.

“Current staff hours are not to be reduced we are told, but
this is not what happened in Tubbercurry, where the library was left open in a
‘Self-Service’ mode when staff were not available during normal hours.

“Although this approach is being lauded as best
international practice, ‘Staff Our Libraries’ say that the only reason those
other countries adopted this model was because they had no choice due to
austerity cutbacks and that is no argument for us to follow suit in Ireland.

“Sinn Féin are very concerned that this is another way of
reducing library staffing numbers by stealth. I believe we should be supporting
and developing services and not the opposite. I have called for a Seanad debate
on the issue, because I do not want us to lose the expertise, skill and
personal interaction from what is one of the jewels in the local government
system.”